Flu shots now available

Dayton Children’s has flu shots available and is encouraging everyone 6 months and older to get theirs by October 31 for the best protection. Getting vaccinated at least two to three weeks before flu season starts is key to staying healthy this season. 

where to get your child’s flu vaccine

1. Call your child’s pediatrician (always the best option)

2. Kids Express - Beavercreek, Centerville, Springboro or West Chester

• Ages 6 months to 21 years
• Open 7 days a week
• View locations

3. Dayton Children’s pharmacy

• Ages 5 years-21 years
• Walk-in only
• Main or south campus: view hours and locations

4. Xenia Community School students can go to their Dayton Children’s Health Clinic

“We’re excited to offer expanded access to flu shots at Dayton Children’s and our four Kids Express locations, in advance of this year’s flu season.” said Lisa Ziemnik, MD, division chief of Dayton Children’s Kids Express and urgent care.

“We know what matters most to families is keeping their children healthy and having access to the flu vaccine in a way that is quick, convenient and done by caregivers that know kids. We hope families choose Dayton Children’s to get their vaccine this year.”

quick care for minor conditions

If you think your child needs to be seen for a minor condition and you can’t get into your child’s doctor, bring them to Kids Express. Kids Express is the only pediatric-focused retail clinic in the region. Save your spot online before you come and wait from home! 

two points to remember:

• Get your child vaccinated. It’s the only proven way to prevent getting measles. Ask your pediatrician to talk through the facts with you. 
• If you suspect your child might have measles, call before you go to the doctor or the hospital. They will have special protocols to help you get the help you need safely.  

in this article:

Measles vaccine

How does measles spread?

How can I protect my child?

What are signs and symptoms of measles?

Have you heard about the measles outbreak?

At the time of this blog, at least 700 people so far have tested positive for the disease across 6 states, including Ohio – 97% of those infected were unvaccinated, and 70% were age 19 or younger.

You might think measles is just a rash and a fever, but it can lead to other serious problems and is very contagious.

“If someone is exposed to measles and isn’t vaccinated, there is a 90% chance they will get infected. If not vaccinated, measles can cause pneumonia, brain swelling and even death.“

The good news? If you are vaccinated, it is very unlikely you will get the disease even if exposed.  

how does measles spread? 

Measles spreads quickly through coughing and sneezing and is much more contagious than a cold or the flu.

Measles can stay in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves. This means someone can catch measles even without directly being around an infected person!  

Because measles spreads so easily, just one infected person can cause an outbreak if people are not vaccinated.  

how can I protect my child? 

The only proven way to protect your child and the community from measles is by getting the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.  

The MMR vaccine is a routine childhood shot given around 12 to 15 months of age and again at 4 to 6 years of age.

Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective at stopping the disease, but even one dose is 93% effective, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

I thought measles was eliminated? What happened?   

Because the vaccine is so effective, if vaccination rates are high we can eliminate measles all together.  

In 2000, measles was declared eliminated in the US, meaning that there were 0 cases of measles in 12 months. But measles has been coming back as vaccine rates have decreased. 

 This is why making sure your child gets their measles vaccine is so important.  

Getting vaccinated not only protects your child, but it also helps protect others in the community, especially babies who are too young to be vaccinated.  

what are the signs and symptoms of measles? 

It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of measles, especially if you aren’t vaccinated.

Symptoms usually appear 7 to 14 days after exposure and can include: 

• High fever (sometimes over 104 degrees Fahrenheit)  
• Cough 
• Runny nose 
• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis) 
• Tiny white spots inside the mouth (called Koplik spots)  
• A red rash that starts on the forehead and spreads down the body 

If you notice these symptoms, especially if your child hasn’t been vaccinated, contact your pediatrician immediately.  

Treating measles when you first see symptoms can make a big difference. People who are vaccinated are highly unlikely to be infected with measles.  

it’s not too late to get vaccinated!  

Getting your child vaccinated is the only proven way to prevent getting measles. We know there’s some hesitation in getting vaccines. The MMR vaccine is safe and effective.  

If you have questions, reach out to your child’s pediatrician. Share your concerns and talk through the facts together.  

Vaccination is a simple step that can save lives.  

Did you know that kids and teens have unique needs when it comes to growth and development? When an injury happens, it’s natural to want the fastest recovery possible, but seeing a pediatric specialist matters.  

From diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation, Dayton Children’s orthopedic and sports medicine specialists specialize in caring for the whole athlete – physically, mentally and emotionally – so they can get back to doing what they love safely and confidently.  

benefits of pediatric care for sports injuries

Teens aren’t just young adults! Children’s bodies continue to grow and develop until they hit puberty, which for some can extend into their early 20s. At Dayton Children’s, we are specially trained to diagnose and treat injuries with a young athlete’s long-term health in mind.

growth plates – a key difference

Growth plates are areas of soft cartilage at the end of long bones. This is where growth occurs. For girls, growth plates are typically fully formed between 13 and 15 years old, but for boys this can continue into their early 20s. Injuries that affect growth plates need a pediatric specialist for a few reasons:  

• A child’s bones, joints and muscles function differently than those of adults.  
• If not treated properly, an injury to a growth plate can impact a child’s future growth and development. 
• Pediatric specialists go through extra training to spot these subtle yet critical differences in growing bones.  

nutrition fuels performance and recovery

To play and compete at their best your child should incorporate all players in sports nutrition: offensive and defensive (and leave some players on the bench).  

• Offensive: Incorporate macronutrients to help your child to be the best athlete they can be. These are things like carbohydrates, protein and heart-healthy fat fuel.  
• Defensive: Keep your child’s athletic performance strong and prolonged with hydration, vitamins and minerals.  
• Players to keep on the bench: Stay away from supplements and energy drinks.  

When it comes to an athletic event, it’s important for your child’s nutrition to start before the event. Proper nutrition before, during and after supports performance and overall health, while decreasing the risk of nutrient deficiencies, injuries and slowed growth.

Follow this suggested plan for proper nutrition when it comes time for the big competition:  

• 3-4 hours before: Your child should eat a carbohydrate-rich meal before a game or sporting event 
• 30-60 minutes before: Have your child eat a quick snack like fruit with water.   
• During: Make sure your child stays hydrated! Water, carbohydrate-rich foods and sport drinks that contain electrolytes are important for staying hydrated and keeping their energy levels up.  
• 15-30 minutes after: Your child should have a mix of protein and carbohydrates after a game or practice.   

For more information on incorporating all the players of sports nutrition click here. 

At Dayton Children’s, we incorporate nutrition into your child’s treatment plan to ensure your young athlete is properly fueled.   

mental health is just as important as physical health

While competitive athletes may feel much of their schedule is taken up by their sport, it is crucial they carve out intentional time for routine self-care. This can be as simple as: 

• Scheduling 5-10 minutes every day to reflect using a journal  
• Practice mindfulness – it not only boosts your athlete’s outlook, but it also enhances awareness of their emotional and physical wellbeing.  

Athletes are just as human as everyone else and require regular maintenance and recovery to reach their long-term goals. 

• Emotional investment builds resilience: Athletes who prioritize their health find strength in making touch choices, like taking a break from their sport.
  • Challenges of sitting out: Time away from their sport can lead to frustration, anxiety about falling behind and a sense of lost identity.  
• Teach self-awareness: Encourage your child to listen to their body and mind.  
• It’s okay to get help: Taking a break to get help could be the healthiest choice for your child.   

Our pediatric orthopedic and sports medicine specialists understand the psychological impact of injuries and provide age-appropriate support to help your child stay engaged and motivated during recovery. 

getting your child back in the game safely

The goal isn’t just a quick recovery – it’s a safe and complete recovery. Getting back to the game too soon can lead to re-injury or long-term complications. We work with you and your child to create an individualized treatment plan that prioritizes healing while maintaining strength, mobility and confidence to get them back to doing what they love.  

At Dayton Children’s, we don’t just treat injuries – we care for the whole athlete. We believe every athlete deserves care just for them. When it comes to your child’s health, expertise matters.  

If an injury happens, we’re here to help. Easily schedule an orthopedics or sports medicine appointment online today.

10 tips to help prepare

If your child is suspected of having a gastrointestinal (GI) issue, you may be eager to see a gastroenterologist and get an evaluation. Waiting for the first appointment can be stressful, but there are things you can do to help manage your child’s symptoms and make them more comfortable.

1. Keep a symptom journal: Track your child’s symptoms, diet and anything else that seems important. This will help the gastroenterologist understand what’s happening and identify any patterns.

2. Encourage a balanced diet: Offer gentle, easy-to-digest foods and avoid anything that seems to trigger symptoms. Pay attention to how certain foods affect your child.

3. Ensure they stay hydrated: Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids, especially if they’re experiencing diarrhea. 

4. Monitor medication and supplements: If your child is taking any medications or supplements, keep a detailed list of them, including doses and any side effects.

5. Adjust activities as needed: Encourage your child to listen to their body and rest when needed. Avoid pushing through fatigue or discomfort.

6. Help reduce stress: Introduce relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises or gentle activities like walking to help ease anxiety.

7. Create a comfortable environment at home: Make your child’s environment as comfortable as possible. This could include easy access to the bathroom, cozy resting areas and favorite comfort items like books or toys.

8. Stay in touch with your primary care provider: Keep your child’s primary care provider updated on their condition. They can help manage symptoms while you wait for the gastroenterology appointment.

9. Prepare for the appointment: Write down any questions or concerns you have so you’re ready to discuss them with the gastroenterologist.

10. Know when to seek immediate care: If your child experiences severe pain, significant weight loss, or other serious symptoms, don’t wait for the appointment – seek emergency medical attention.

By taking these steps, you can help support your child while you wait to see the gastroenterologist.

Still need to make an appointment? Use our online scheduling tool to choose a date and time that works best for you!

get to know: Dayton Children’s spine nurse navigator

“I am their advocate and liaison throughout their entire spine surgery journey and I get to watch how resilient they are!”

It means so much to me to see my patients recover and get back to their daily activities. I am always there to answer questions, help navigate any problems, and cheer them on.

What is something you want your colleagues and the community to know about the spine team at Dayton Children’s?
The Dayton Children’s spine team is here for YOU! Everything we do is patient-centered and is designed to ensure that our patients have the best possible outcomes. We truly care about our patients and their families during what can be a scary time for them and always strive to give them the best possible care and experience they can receive.

I am so lucky to work with incredible, compassionate physicians who are committed to always going above and beyond for our kids. Our spine team is innovative and always improving our practice to ensure we bring in the latest and most relevant treatment for scoliosis.

I am truly so proud of our team and care we provide! 

Dayton Children’s spinal patient, Allison Mundey

Did you know that Dayton Children’s has a sensory program for children who need a surgery or procedure?

What started as a program specifically for children with autism spectrum disorder, has expanded to assisting all children who have special needs and higher anxieties around coming to the hospital for a surgical procedure.

Surgery can be scary for any child, but it is especially traumatic for children with special needs. Some children may not understand what’s going on which can cause them to act out and become very irritated.

In the past, the answer to this was to provide a pre-surgery calming medication to help the child cope. But today we have different options! 

so how do we combat this without medication?

In 2017, 90% of children requiring surgery at Dayton Children’s required pre-surgery calming medication prior to the implementation of our sensory-friendly surgery experience.

A team of Dayton Children’s employees led by pediatric anesthesiologist, Sean Antosh, MD, knew that there was a better way to meet the needs of these children without resorting to medication. Together they found a way to create a more relaxed, sensory friendly environment to soothe and distract kids before surgery, by creating our pre-op sensory-friendly rooms!

These rooms may include:

“Our sensory program for surgical patients has really evolved over the last six years,” Dr. Antosh explains.

“By creating a sensory-friendly experience for kids before surgery, it removes triggers and allows kids to feel more comfortable and calmer while the medical team prepares them for surgery.”

Dr. Anotsh goes on to explain, “the perioperative staff has been extensively trained in the needs of those with sensory processing issues and how to best accommodate the care we give on a daily basis.”

Click the video below to watch our sensory room in action

how does the program work?

During our routine call before surgery, the scheduler will ask you a series of questions to determine if your child is a candidate for our sensory friendly pre-operative room.

If the room is determined necessary, one of our child life specialists will reach out to develop a coping plan that is specific to your child!

5 benefits of the sensory program:

• Reduction of pre-surgery calming medication
• Quicker recovery times
• When patients are calm going into surgery, they typically wake up calm after surgery
• Parents feel more at ease bringing their special needs child in for surgery
• Patients are able to overcome their fear of coming to the hospital

Since the start of our sensory program in 2017, the experience has helped reduce the amount of pre-surgery calming medicine from 90% to 20% of patients.

We have also been able to expand the sensory program to other areas of the hospital including in our lab and imaging department, our south campus surgery center, as well as offer the experience to kids with other special needs and higher anxieties coming to the hospital.
 

national recognition 
 

In 2021, Parent’s Magazine named Dayton Children’s as one of top 15 children’s hospitals in innovation and technology for our sensory program.

Parents are in awe of how we are transforming care for their child with sensory needs.

One mom said, “We walked in and immediately felt more at ease. The lights were turned down low. There was a projection of fish on the wall. They had a fiberoptic bubble machine. There were markers for Declan to color on the bed. Basically, anything they could do to help Declan not think about being at the hospital.”

If you think that your child may benefit from a sensory friendly surgery experience, please let the scheduler know during your pre-operative call.

Learn more about our sensory program here.